Governor McAuliffe Announces 1-2-3 Go! Initiative for High School Students

For Immediate Release:
October 17, 2016
Contacts:
Office of the Governor: Brian Coy, (804) 225-4260, Brian.Coy@governor.virginia.gov
| The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia: Gregory Weatherford, (804) 786-2323, GregoryWeatherford@schev.edu

Governor McAuliffe Announces 1-2-3 Go! Initiative for High School Students

~Virginia’s students will now be able to access new resources to learn how to prepare, apply and pay for college~

RICHMOND – Governor McAuliffe announced today that beginning this month, Virginia high-school students and their families will be able to receive hands-on assistance as they prepare to attend one of Virginia’s colleges or universities.

The 1-2-3 Go! initiative, spearheaded by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), includes three distinct components as three steps to college: Educational Credit Management Corporation (ECMC) College Nights events, Virginia College Application Week and the Super FAFSA Project. These three services provide students with critical assistance from counselors, advisers and experts on how to prepare, apply and ultimately pay for their higher education.

“Now more than ever, it is essential that our students have the resources they need and the support they deserve in order to successfully transition into higher education,” said Governor McAuliffe. “With the 1-2-3 Go! initiative, the Commonwealth is making the tools and resources available to help thousands of young Virginians pursue the dream of a college education.”

The 1-2-3 Go! initiative is expected to provide support and resources to over 12,000 students and family members at more than 80 high schools across the Commonwealth.

“Preparing for higher education can be a complicated process,” said Virginia Secretary of Education Dietra Trent. “It is essential for Virginia students and families to have the best advice possible when making the critical decision on next steps for their lives.”

“1-2-3 Go! will make it easier for students and families to navigate the college application process and help applicants find the resources they need to make the right decisions,” SCHEV Director Peter Blake added. “As the next generation prepares to take on the rigors of post-secondary education, it is critical that we bring students and experts together when the students need them the most.”

1-2-3 Go! is coordinated by the State Council of Higher Education in collaboration with Educational Credit Management Corporation (ECMC). Other partners include the Office of the Secretary of Education and the Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia.

“We are thrilled to be able to work with SCHEV to help Virginia students and families on this important initiative,” said ECMC Director Paula Craw.